Kathleen writes: > Also, what happens for those members who are not able to
>participate in a discussion like this? Will they be informed via letter of
>the concerns of the membership, and have a chance to speak their minds?

What happens on MOST boards? Or our national or provincial/state
governments? The representatives are elected, they conduct the business of
the organization, they report to members, and if members have questions or
concerns they write or otherwise talk with the board members. There aren't
too many (any?) national or international boards that function as town hall
meetings. It would be virtually impossible to make a decision.

Having a web page where people around the world can discuss issues will be
excellent, but it doesn't mean that because people have expressed opinions
or wishes there that the board will necessarily do what they want. The board
has to consider all angles and often has information it isn't free to share
with members. I think it's pretty naive to think that because we're a member
of an organization we should be privy to all the goings on; and how many of
us really would WANT to know it all and be expected to be up to speed on
every issue? That's why we elect people, and that's why most of us have NOT
let our names stand for election--no time, no interest, a combination,
whatever. Please, let's put our suspicions aside and conduct ourselves
respectfully and through the proper channels. Change is hard, but let's give
the board a chance to guide us through a difficult time.
Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River, Alberta, Canada